Elizabeth K. Haynes

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Elizabeth (Liz) K. Haynes, age 40, of Pagosa Springs, formerly of Andover, Ill., died suddenly from a stroke on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Denver, Colo., surrounded by family and friends.

Liz was born Elizabeth K. Peterson on May 2, 1972, in Silvis, Ill., to Willard Peterson, Jr. and Martha Jane Jamison. She grew up in Silvis, with her two siblings, Amanda and Andy, and graduated in 1990 from United Township High School.

She further graduated from Augustana College with a bachelor’s degree in biological science and environmental science and later from Illinois State University with a master’s degree in herpetology and conservation biology.

She worked 13 years for the University of Illinois Extension Service for Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties starting as a natural resource/zoology educator in 1999; then developed the first Illinois Master Naturalist chapter/program in 2005. She soon led the program statewide and spent the last four years as the Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator. She was actively involved in community service organizations including 4-H, was a previous two-term board member of the Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP), president of the Quad City Natural Area Guardians, secretary/treasurer of Interstate Resources Conservation and Development, as well as 4-H.

In April 2012, she moved to Pagosa Springs, with her 5-year-old son, Ethan, to work for Colorado State University Extension as the Extension Agent/director for Archuleta County. Liz and Ethan enjoyed spending time outdoors, camping, hiking, fishing, gardening and wildlife viewing. She enjoyed watching Ethan start kindergarten in their new home this fall.

Liz’s strong passion to educate, engage and empower individuals, organizations, and communities to lead and practice natural resource stewardship will be sorely missed.

Liz is survived by her son, Ethan, of Golden, Colo.; her mother, Martha Peterson, Silvis, Ill.; fiance Gil Burchardt, Pagosa Springs; sister, Amanda Forslund (Chad), Rock Island, Ill.; brother, Andrew Peterson (April), Moline, Ill.; and niece and nephews.

Liz is predeceased by her father, Willard Peterson, Jr., and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

A memorial celebration was held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Watchtower Lodge, Blackhawk State Park in Rock Island, Ill., starting at 4 p.m. A trust will be set up in Liz’s memory for the care and education of her young son. Donations may be made to the family on behalf of the trust or to the Rock Island 4-H Chapter with the Illinois Extension Service. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln

The Extension Office staff would like to invite the community to a memorial service for Liz, Friday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Archuleta County extension office. Light refreshments will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Archuleta County 4-H, which will be earmarked for a memorial garden on the fairgrounds. Please send to P.O. Box 370, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.